Question : EMPLOYMENT IN IT

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(a) whether a large number of Information Technology experts are migrating to foreign countries every year ;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor and the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to check the brain drain ;

(c) whether the Ministry has any proposal to step in and regulate the term of employment of people in the IT industries for better service conditions and job opportunity ; and

(d) if so the details thereof and the new employment opportunities likely to be created in the sector after the implementation of Digital India Programme in near future ?

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (c): The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India does not maintain any information related to IT experts who migrate to foreign countries from time to time. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) also does not maintain such information. However, according to NASSCOM, the Indian IT-ITES industry continues to be a net hirer and employs about 3.5 million professionals directly. During the FY 2014-15, the Indian IT-ITES industry is estimated to have contributed to additional employment of 2, 30, 000 persons. Considering the progressive growth of IT-ITES industry over the past years, there is significant potential for increased job opportunities.

The employers in the Information Technology & Information Technology enabled Services (IT-ITeS) sector, like other sectors are required to comply with applicable laws related to labour / employee welfare.

(d): Under the Digital India Programme, a North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) has been approved to incentivize BPO Operations in North East Region (NER) for creation of employment opportunities for the youth and growth of IT-ITES Industry. The Administrative Approval for implementation of the NEBPS to incentivize establishment of 5000 seats, with capital support in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF), with an outlay of Rs. 50 crore (Rupees fifty crore only) for remaining period of 12th Five Year Plan i.e. 31.03.2017 has been issued on 30th January 2015. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India, has been designated as the Nodal Agency for implementation of the NEBPS.

Further, another Scheme for promotion of BPO Operations, for other parts of the country, particularly in smaller cities/towns, is contemplated for creation of employment opportunities and growth of IT-ITES Industry. The proposed Scheme would, inter-alia, lay down the appropriate guidelines in regard to eligibility, location, nature of support to the Industry and other related aspects. This Scheme would be operationalized, after obtaining necessary approvals of the Competent Authority.